Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Monday urged the state judiciary to dispense justice with fairness.
He said that was the greatest legacy the judiciary could give to the society.
Fashola spoke at the Lagos Central Mosque, the venue of the opening ceremony of the 2007/2008 Legal Year in the state.
The governor also read the Riot Act to law breakers in the state, saying that they had a choice to either retrace their steps or face prosecution.
He said, “I appeal to all our judges, magistrates and legal practitioners that in the manner that we have submitted ourselves at the beginning of our year to the Almighty Allah, may we continue to remember to dispense justice with fairness.
“Fairness between man and man, fairness between man and government, fairness between Muslims and Muslims, fairness between Muslims and non-Muslims and fairness among members of the society.”
The governor said those who fixed the legal year in the holy month of Ramadan must have seen the need to submit the ceremony to the higher authority of the Almighty Creator.
He said, “This, I believe, is because in all that we do in life in whatever capacity, whether as judges or governor of a state, we are subject to the divine judgment.”
He also expressed delight at the opportunity to declare the ceremony open, saying that his government was committed to the maintenance of law and order as a basic foundation for the development of a peaceful and progressive society.
Fashola thanked the judiciary for the support given his administration in the last three months.
He said his administration would strengthen the judicial arm of government.
The governor warned ”all law breakers and those who think it is still business as usual,” to retrace their steps.
By Tony Amokeodo and Kayode Ketefe
The Punch
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
